Before returning home, Singh called on Chinese President Hu Jintao, who congratulated the Prime Minister for the success of his "short but very productive" maiden visit to the country.

"I have come here with the strong belief that our two countries must do everything in their power to strengthen our multi-faceted cooperation, build new ties of friendship and partnership," Singh said at his meeting with Hu at the ornate Great Hall of the People in Beijing.

Noting that China and India are the fastest growing economies, Singh said "at a time when there are considerable uncertainties about the global economy, the strong growth of China and India is a positive public international good for the benefit of Asia and for the world community as a whole."

The positive tone was evident as Singh while addressing Chinese scholars expressed optimism on India and China working closely together in creating a world of mutual prosperity, rather than one based on calculations of balance of power and animosity.

"The rise of China is among the most important developments of our times," he said in his speech at the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, a premier think tank.